i will literally never get caught up otherwise. To match my quicker output to my YouTube, here are some older reviews I haven’t gotten to.
Footloose: 40th Anniversary- My first experience with this was actually a Broadway tour of the stage musical. Then, finally the Kevin Bacon classic. Nothing quite hits the spot like this rockin’ soundtrack full of bangers still today. It is a solid breakout for Kevin Bacon, whose star only continued to rise. I remember nothing about the audio description. i actually watched this in November, and published the review in December. That’s how bad I am.
fresh: Final Grade: A-
Joker Folie Aux Deux- I’m starting to get so far from my initial viewings of these films that specific thoughts escape me. this movie is so utterly bizarre. It feels like the kind of movie Todd Phillips would make, almost like the middle finger Lana wachowski had in The matrix revelations, where they openly mentioned in a meta way, if she had not come back, the studio would have hired someone else. I’m sure Phillips was handed a gold brick, but also told a Joker sequel would happen with or without him. I’m not sure he actually wanted that, because this film is so tonally different it contradicts the first film. Lady Gaga is fine, but wasted, and Joaquin Phoenix is delivering a completely different performance. this is a courtroom drama musical. However bad it is, it is wildly interesting, and I was never bored. I’m fascinated by the choices, and dying to find out if Todd Phillips was pulling the greatest prank ever.
Rotten: Final Grade: D+
Joker- I did revisit the original at the same time, and I have no published review, but this was not my first time with the Best Picture nominated film. I think it has its merits, and Phoenix delivers a brilliant performance, but I don’t love it as much as I should, and it seems to wane a bit on repeat viewings. Not my favorite Batman universe film, nor my favorite iteration of Joker.
Fresh: Final Grade: B+
Mother’s Instinct- this Neon release is now on Hulu, and it is twisty enough. The female leads, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway are both good in a movie that has one big plot twist that drives it, but both have been better before. It is a decent thriller, however the male counterparts are totally wasted. if you get a chance, it is worth a watch, though I can’t see anyone repeating this one.
Fresh: Final Grade- B
Dahomey- this failed to get an Oscar nomination for Documentary feature, but was shortlisted. It was a weird experience because the film isn’t in English, but then all of a sudden there’s this one woman who talks for a few seconds in English late in the film. There’s also a talking statue, and I didn’t pick up on that. Audio description and accessibility matter.
Unwatchable Due To LAck Of Audio Description
Batman: 35th Anniversary- In conjunction with my joker reviews, I revisited the Tim Burton version of Batman. i think it had audio description, though I also think it did not. I’ve seen the Tim burton classic before, but I do prefer his Batman Returns. Still, I think you can’t beat this cast, Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, and Billy Dee Williams. The score is epic.
Fresh: Final Grade: B+
Shadow Of The Vampire- A movie about the making of the original Nosferatu, starring a fantastic Willem Dafoe and John Malkovich. It is really short, fascinating, and seems to balance different genres well. I worry that time has forgotten this film, and we shouldn’t. It is still a really solid film, and for anyone who enjoys the nuts and bolts of filmmaking, this is a treat. it does have audio description out there.
Fresh: Final Grade: A-
